The 2016 Florida Legislative Session begins Tuesday. What should public education supporters expect? Well, not much according to policy leaders in Tallahassee. Congress passed a sweeping overhaul to No Child Left Behind at the end of 2015, keeping annual testing but providing a great deal of flexibility to states on how to use the results.…
Florida lawmakers are wrapping up the budget work that was so contentious it required a special session to complete. Most issues have been settled including the education budget. Last minute negotiations on special projects and other issues are underway. However, they hope to have it done in time for a Friday adjournment. Florida’s 67 county school…
News out of Tallahassee Tuesday night says the House and Senate have reached an agreement on education spending levels. Reportedly, they have agreed to a modest 3% increase that puts school spending below 2002 funding levels. Governor Scott campaigned on investing in K-12 education and proposed a record high $7,175 per pupil funding in his budget…
The Florida Legislature opened the special session Monday in Tallahassee. Because they ended regular session without passing a budget, legislative leaders had to convene a special session in order to avoid a government shut down. The House and Senate are still at odds over federal Medicaid funding and budget negotiations will not begin until next weekend.…
Governor Scott issued a statement that asks agencies to identify their critical needs in case the Florida Senate and House cannot come to agreement on a state budget by July 1st. He blamed a possible government shutdown on the Senate and their push to expand Medicaid. From the Tampa Bay Times: Scott’s order puts agencies…
In a joint statement yesterday, House and Senate leaders announced a special session to begin June 1st and conclude June 20th. They are divided on the issue of Medicaid funding from the federal government. Lawmakers must return to the state capital to finish the budget by June 30 and, integral to that decision, is addressing the…
The 2015 Legislative Session abruptly ended without passing a constitutionally required budget. Now, all sides are facing off as they decide how to proceed. The Senate Democrats filed an emergency petition with the Florida Supreme Court arguing that the House violated the state constitution when they abruptly adjourned without notice. The House sharply disagreed. Senate President…